Best Grilled Chicken Breast Recipe (Boneless)

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You can’t go wrong with this easy grilled chicken breast recipe! No more dry, tasteless chicken! This is the BEST grilled chicken recipe with a delicious sweet and zesty marinade that will soon become a barbecue staple in your house!

This is the Best Grilled Chicken Breast Recipe

Firing up the grill and making something delicious has to be one of the best things about summer! We grill something at least a couple of nights out of the week. One of our most common grill items is chicken breasts.

Chicken breasts are so easy to grill and can be so versatile. This recipe for grilled chicken has a delicious marinade. I absolutely love it, and so will you! This grilled chicken recipe will be perfect for your next family barbeque.

The grilled chicken is mouthwateringly juicy and the marinade the perfect blend of zesty lemon and sweet honey flavors. Not to mention, it pairs well with just about any side dish, from a cold pasta salad to hearty potatoes. This is one meal that’s sure to get a thumbs up from the whole family.

Why we love this Grilled Chicken Breast Recipe

Quick & easy – Prep in about 5 minutes
Marinade in the morning and throw it on the grill when ready to make
BBQ staple recipe in our house
Tender & juicy – Never dry or bland chicken
Low-carb dinner

Best Grilled Chicken Breast Recipe Ingredients

Chicken breast
Fresh lemon juice
Canola oil
Honey
Dijon mustard
Smoked paprika
Dried thyme
Salt
Black pepper

How to Make Grilled Chicken Breast

Place chicken cutlets in a large zip-top bag.
Mix lemon juice, oil, honey, mustard, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Pour the marinade into the bag with the chicken. Seal and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
Preheat grill to 400°F.
Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side until cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Best Grilled Chicken Breast tips

When I use the packages of pre-portioned chicken breast cutlets, it makes preparing this recipe very quick and easy. You can also buy your chicken in those large frozen bulk bags. Be mindful that sometimes those cutlets tend to be large in size, so you can carefully butterfly them or pound them out to make them a more uniform thickness. This will allow them to cook at the same rate.
This marinade can easily be doubled, or cut in half, depending on how much chicken you will be grilling.
This great universal marinade will yield moist and tender grilled chicken.
If you want to use the thicker chicken breast or even bone-in chicken breasts, leave the chicken in the marinade for up to 8 hours. The thinner cutlets do not need to marinate that long of a time. You will want to note that your grilling time will be longer if you are using the thicker, bone-in pieces of chicken breasts.
You can substitute olive oil, vegetable oil or avocado oil for the canola oil in this recipe.
I used dried thyme leaves for this marinade because I can keep it in my pantry and whip up this marinade for dinner any time. You can certainly use fresh thyme leaves as well but you may want to increase the amount to 2 teaspoons as fresh herbs are not as strong as the dried ones.

How to store Grilled Chicken Breasts

In the fridge: If you find yourself with leftover chicken breasts, you can store them in the fridge. To maximize the shelf life, store your chicken in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap. If stored this way your chicken will last in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
In the freezer: You can freeze your grilled chicken for quick and easy meals later on. To do so, make sure that the chicken has thawed completely (you might even want to let it chill in the fridge) before freezing. I recommend slicing the chicken into smaller pieces. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a ziploc bag.
When you’re ready to eat your frozen chicken, be sure to let it thaw out completely in the fridge, then heat it up in the microwave or oven!

Best Grilled Chicken Breast Recipe FAQs

What to Serve With Grilled Chicken Breast

Grilled chicken is versatile and can be served with a variety of sides. Some popular options include grilled vegetables, a fresh salad, roasted potatoes, or a light pasta dish. You can also slice the grilled chicken and use it in wraps or sandwiches.

How long should I marinate the chicken breasts before grilling?

For the best flavor, it’s recommended to marinate the chicken breasts for at least 30 minutes. However, if you have more time, marinating them for 2 to 4 hours would yield even better results.

Ideal Grilled Chicken Breast Temp

The ideal grilling temperature for chicken breasts is around 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly without burning on the outside.

Grilled Chicken Breast Time

The grilling time for chicken breasts depends on their thickness. On average, it takes about 6-7 minutes per side on a preheated grill. Always ensure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit for safe consumption.

How do you grill chicken breast without drying it out?

To grill chicken breast without drying it out, use a marinade or brine to add moisture and flavor. Cook the chicken over medium heat and monitor its internal temperature with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.

Should you grill chicken breast slow or fast?

It is generally better to grill chicken breast over medium-high heat for a shorter cooking time to retain moisture and prevent it from drying out.

Do you grill chicken breast covered or uncovered?

When grilling chicken breast, it is usually best to grill it uncovered. This allows the heat to circulate evenly around the chicken, promoting a nice sear and preventing the chicken from becoming too steamed and losing its desired texture.

This recipe is the perfect family dinner for a summer cookout. The marinade is a combination of delicious ingredients like lemon-pepper seasoning, dijon mustard, and honey. Making it the perfect balance of tangy and sweet for a flavorful and juicy chicken breast off the grill.

More like these Grilled Chicken Breasts:

5 from 3 votes

Best Grilled Chicken Breast (Flavorful Boneless Chicken Breasts!)

Author — Jennifer Fishkind

Serves —

This grilled chicken breast recipe has a delicious sweet and zesty marinade that the whole family will love!

Print Rate Pin Save

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 12

Chill Time 1

Total Time 1 22

Ingredients

▢ 4 boneless-skinless chicken breast thin cutlets (approximately 1 ½ – 2 pounds total weight) (I used Perdue brand pre-packaged cutlets)
▢ ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
▢ ⅓ cup canola oil
▢ ¼ cup honey
▢ 3 tablespoon dijon mustard
▢ ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
▢ 1 teaspoon dried thyme
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

In a large, heavy duty, zip top bag place the boneless-skinless chicken breast cutlets. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl add the fresh lemon juice, canola oil, honey, dijon mustard, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt and black pepper. Whisk together until fully combined.
Pour the marinade over the chicken that is inside the zip top bag. Seal the bag, squeezing out as much air as possible, and place the bag onto a plate and inside the refrigerator to marinate for 1-2 hours.
Preheat outdoor gas grill to 400* F. Place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill, close the lid, and cook for 6-8 minutes.
Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes or until cooked through to an internal temperature of 165* F.
Remove the grilled chicken to a plate and turn off your grill according to factory instructions.
Allow the grilled chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Jenn’s Notes

Tips:

When I use the packages of pre-portioned chicken breast cutlets it makes preparing this recipe very quick and easy. You can also buy your chicken in those large frozen bulk bags as well. Be mindful that sometimes those cutlets tend to be on the large size so you can carefully butterfly them, or pound them out to make them a more uniform thickness. This will allow them to cook at the same rate.
This marinade can easily be doubled, or cut in half, depending on the amount of chicken you will be grilling.
This is a great universal marinade that will yield moist and tender grilled chicken.
If you want to use the thicker chicken breast, or even bon-in chicken breasts you can leave the chicken in the marinade for up to 8 hours. The thinner cutlets do not need to marinate that long of a time. You will want to note that your grilling time will be longer if you are using the thicker, on bone-in, pieces of chicken breasts.
You can substitute olive oil, vegetable oil or avocado oil for the canola oil in this recipe.
I used dried thyme leaves for this marinade because I can keep it in my pantry and whip up this marinade for dinner any time. You can certainly use fresh thyme leaves as well but you may want to increase the amount to 2 teaspoons as fresh herbs are not as strong as the dried ones.